Characteristics of Disability

Every question here, with the answer

1. An 81-year-old patient with worsening vision says she is afraid her family will take away her driver’s license, but she also does not want to lose access to community activities. Which nursing intervention best supports the patient’s independence and societal participation?

   1. Ask the patient’s daughter to take over all transportation so the patient does not have to make travel decisions.
   2. Focus the visit only on vitamins and diet because the patient’s main problem is the eye condition.
   3. Explore accessible public transportation and rideshare options, and help initiate paperwork for discounted access if appropriate.
   4. Tell the patient to stop driving immediately and avoid community activities until her vision stabilizes.

   Answer: Explore accessible public transportation and rideshare options, and help initiate paperwork for discounted access if appropriate.

   The best response addresses the barrier created by vision impairment while supporting independence and community participation. The other options either remove autonomy, rely only on family support, or ignore the participation barrier the patient identified.

2. A nurse is teaching a patient with sensory impairment and the patient’s family about home safety. Which environmental features should the nurse encourage? Select all that apply.

   1. Availability of handrails and grab bars
   2. Loud background noise during conversations
   3. Appropriate settings on water heater controls
   4. Hazard-free walkways
   5. Adequate lighting

   Answer: Availability of handrails and grab bars, Appropriate settings on water heater controls, Hazard-free walkways, Adequate lighting

   Sensory impairments increase risk for falls and injury, so the nurse should encourage lighting, handrails or grab bars, clear walkways, and safe water heater settings. Loud background noise is not a safety feature and may worsen communication for a person with hearing loss.

3. A patient with chronic pain associated with arthritis reports difficulty completing self-care and managing finances. How should the nurse best classify this concern when planning care?

   1. Discrimination
   2. Congenital condition
   3. Structural impairment
   4. Functional impairment

   Answer: Functional impairment

   The patient’s limitation is in performing activities effectively because of loss of function, which is a functional impairment. Structural impairment refers to problems with a body part itself, while discrimination and congenital condition do not describe this patient’s activity limitation.

4. A community health nurse is planning outreach for adults with disabilities in a rural area. Which issues should the nurse specifically assess for in this population? Select all that apply.

   1. Access to health care
   2. Assumption that younger adults have more federally funded support than older adults
   3. Barriers related to long-distance transportation
   4. Availability of support services
   5. Presence of multiple disabilities

   Answer: Access to health care, Barriers related to long-distance transportation, Availability of support services, Presence of multiple disabilities

   The section identifies rural communities as having a higher proportion of disability, particularly multiple disabilities, and notes barriers involving support services, health care access, and long-distance transportation. The statement about younger adults having more federally funded support is inconsistent with the section’s discussion of older adults’ access to programs.

5. A parent tells the school nurse, “My child has a disability and is starting public school. I’m worried the school will not be able to meet my child’s needs.” Which response by the nurse is most appropriate?

   1. “The school can delay education until the family arranges private therapies.”
   2. “Federal law requires appropriate and free education, and an individualized education plan can guide needed services.”
   3. “An individualized education plan is used only after the child becomes an adult.”
   4. “Public schools may provide accommodations only if the child’s disability is physical.”

   Answer: “Federal law requires appropriate and free education, and an individualized education plan can guide needed services.”

   IDEA requires appropriate and free public education for children with disabilities and includes individualized education plans. The other options incorrectly limit eligibility, delay education, or misstate when IEPs are used.

6. A nurse is caring for a patient with a progressive physical disability who reports new mobility barriers and frustration with loss of independence. Which nursing actions reflect the teamwork and collaboration approach described in the section? Select all that apply.

   1. Create the care plan without patient input to reduce stress for the patient
   2. Advocate for additional therapies
   3. Request updated mobility assistance devices when needed
   4. Incorporate the patient’s needs and desires into the plan
   5. Offer mental health support resources

   Answer: Advocate for additional therapies, Request updated mobility assistance devices when needed, Incorporate the patient’s needs and desires into the plan, Offer mental health support resources

   The nurse should collaborate with the care team, advocate for therapies and mobility devices, support coping needs, and include the patient’s input to promote autonomy. Creating the plan without the patient’s input conflicts with the section’s emphasis on patient needs, desires, autonomy, and independence.